Badges and certificates awarded on the completion of each level (at an additional charge)

The Scheme

Pre School Discovery Ducklings

The swimmer’s ‘journey through aquatics’ starts with the Discovery Ducklings programme for developing water confidence in early years, encouraged through sessions such as ‘adult and child’ and pre-school sessions.

Stages 1-7

A unique pathway of skills and swimming techniques designed to improve strength and stamina in water. Ensures children progress at their ownpace to achieve a high standard of swimming ability.

Alpha

Your Journey Through the Scheme

Pre School Stages 1-2Ages 3 - 18 months

The swimmer’s ‘journey through aquatics’ starts with the Discovery Ducklings programme for developing water confidence in early years, encouraged through sessions such as ‘adult and child’ and pre-school sessions.

Duckling Grade 1 1. Make a supervised safe entry with adult support2. Kick 2 metres on the back with adult support3. Float on the back with adult support behind the head4. Blow bubbles at the water surface5. Wet the head without submersion6. Travel without assistance 2 metres to a floating object. (It is recommended that appropriate buoyancy aid be used).

Duckling Grade 2 1. Make a sitting entry with adult support2. Blow an object for a distance of 2 metres3. Using a baby seat or other buoyancy aid, rotate through 180degrees without assistance4. Move 5 metres along the rail or wall without assistance5. Travel 3 metres using arms and/or legs without assistance6. Submerge the face with confidence

Award: Duckling Stage 1 -2

Pre School Stages 3-4Ages 18 months - 3 years

Duckling Grade 3 1. Make a supervised jump to an adult with or without support2. Kick 5 metres on the front holding a float (the adult may hold the other end of the float)3. Blow bubbles with the mouth underwater4. Float on front OR back without adult support5. Travel 5 metres on the front to the side of the pool6. Show a torpedo shape on front or back when pushed to a partner

Duckling Grade 4 1. Jump unaided, but supervised, into the water2. Submerge completely3. Rotate through 360° either horizontally or vertically4. Show a mushroom OR a star float5. Travel without assistance 10 metres on the front OR back6. Climb out of the water with assistance if required

Award: Duckling Stage 3 -4

Stage 1

Age 3 - 4yrs+ Non Swimmers (Red Hat)

Suitable for children who are aged 3-4 with no previous experience. Developing basic safety awareness the ‘class scenario’, basic movement skills and water confidence.

1. Enter the water safely2. Move forwards for a distance of 5 metres3. Move backwards for a distance of 5 metres4. Move sideways for distance of 5 metres5. Scoop the water and wash face6. Be at ease with water showered from overhead7. Move into a stretched floating position using aids,equipment or support8. Regain an upright position from on the back with support9. Regain an upright position from on the front with support10. Push and glide in a horizontal position to or from a wall11. Take part in a teacher-led partner orientated game12. Demonstrate an understanding of pool rules13. Exit the water safely

Award: Stage 1

Stage 2

5 Metres (Orange Hat)

Suitable for children who are in full time education with no previous experience. Developing safe entries into water, includingjumping in, basic floating, travel and unaided rotation to regain upright positions.

1. Jump in from poolside safely2. Blow bubbles a minimum of three times rhythmically with nose and mouth submerged3. Regain upright position from the back without support4. Regain an upright position from the front without support5. Push from wall and glide on the back6. Push from wall and glide on the front7. Travel on the back for 5 metres, aids or equipment may be used8. Travel on the front for 5 metres, aids or equipment may be used9. Perform a rotation from the front to the back to gain an upright position10. Perform a rotation from the back to the front to gain an upright position

Award: Stage 2 & 5 metres

Stage 3

10 Metres (Yellow Hat)

For children over 5 year and who have completed stage 2. Developing safe entries including submersion, travel up to 10 metres on their front and back, progress rotation skills and water safety knowledge.

1. Jump in from poolside and submerge (min depth 0.9m)2. Sink, push away from wall on side and maintain a streamlined position3. Push and glide on the front with arms extended and log roll onto the back4. Push and glide on the back with arms extended and log roll onto the front5. Travel on the front, tuck to rotate around the horizontal axis to return on the back.6. Fully submerge to pick up an object7. Answer correctly three questions on the Water Safety Code8. Travel 10 metres on the back9. Travel 10 metres on the frontn an upright position

Award: Stage 3 & 10 metres

Stage 4

15 Metres (Green Hat)

For children who have completed 10 metres on front and back and who have completed stage 3. Developing the understanding of arange of skills refining kicking technique for all strokes and swimming 20 metres.

1. Demonstrate an understanding of buoyancy2. Perform a tuck float for 5 seconds3. Perform a sequence of changing shapes (minimum of three) whilst floating at the surface4. Push and glide from the wall to the pool floor5. Kick 10 metres backstroke (one item of equipment optional)6. Kick 10 metres front crawl (one item of equipment optional)7. Kick 10 metres butterfly on the front or on the back8. Kick 10 metres breaststroke on the back (equipment optional)9. Kick 10 metres breaststroke on the front (equipment optional)10. Perform on the back a head first sculling action for 5 metres in a horizontal position11. Travel on back and roll in one continuous movement onto front12. Travel on front and roll in one continuous movement onto back13. Swim 10 metres, choice of stroke is optional

Award: Stage 4, 20 metres, 5metres breaststroke & 5 metres butterfly

Stage 5

20 Metres (Blue Hat)

For children who can swim 20 metres on front and back and have achieved stage 4. Developing skills and competence in scullingand treading water, completing a rotation and demonstrating good stroke techniques across all four strokes.

1. Perform a horizontal stationary scull on the back2. Perform a feet first sculling action for 5 metres whilst horizontal on the back3. Perform a sculling sequence with a partner for 30-45 seconds to include a rotation4. Tread water for 30 seconds5. Perform three different shaped jumps into deep water6. Swim 10 metres backstroke 7. Swim 10 metres front crawl face in the water 8. Swim 10 metres breaststroke9. Swim 10 metres butterfly 10. Perform a handstand and hold for a minimum of three seconds11. Perform a forward somersault, tucked, in the water12. Demonstrate an action for getting help

Stage 6

25 Metres (Indigo Hat)

For children who can swim 25 metres on both front and back and who have achieved stage 5. Developing effective swimming skills includingco-ordinated breathing, developing the water safety aspects and understanding of preparation for exercise. Children will be able to swim 50metres on front and back and be working to achieve their personal survival award.

1. Demonstrate an understanding of preparation for exercise2. Sink, push off on side from the wall, glide, kick and rotate into backstroke3. Sink, push off on side from the wall, glide, kick and rotate into front crawl4. Swim 10 metres wearing clothes5. Swim front crawl to include at least six rhythmical breaths6. Swim breaststroke to include at least six rhythmical breaths7. Swim butterfly to include at least three rhythmical breaths8. Swim 25 metres, choice of stroke9. Perform a ‘shout and signal’ rescue10. Perform a surface dive11. Exit the water without using steps

Award: Stage 6, 50 metres & Personal survival level 1

Stage 7

50 Metres (Violet Hat)

For children who have achieved stage 6 and can confidently swim 50 metres front and back. Developing quality stroke technique and aimingto gain 100 metres awards across 3 strokes. This stage then encourages stamina and the goal of 200 metres should be achieved with touchturns being introduced.

1. Swim 25 metres backstroke2. Swim 25 metres front crawl3. Swim 25 metres breaststroke4. Swim 25 metres butterfly5. Perform a movement sequence of 1 minute duration, in a group of three or more, incorporating a number of the following skills:

Sculling: head first, feet firstRotation: forward/backward somersault, log rollFloating: star on the front/on the back, tuck float, create ownEggbeater: moving, lifting one or both arms out of the water link skills with strokes and sculls

6. Perform a sitting dive7. Swim 50 metres continuously using one stroke8. Swim 100 metres, using a minimum of three different strokes9. Tread water using eggbeater action for 30 seconds10. Complete an obstacle course (using minimum of four objects) with feet off the pool floor throughout

Award: Stage 7, 1000 metres, 200 metres & Personal survival level 2

Stage 8,9,&10

Challenge Awards

Stage 8,9,&10

Rookie Lifeguard & Diving

Stage 8,9,&10

CompetitiveSwimming

Stage 9

Developing speed and endurance aiming to achieve 800 metres

Stage 10

Competitive swimming,with further development in endurance swimming

How do I get started?

First steps...

Decide on the stage you think your child should start at, then talk to our reception team to see which sessions are available.

Pay by Direct Debit to spread the cost of your lessons over 12 months. Provide us with your contact details so we can keep you informed of your child’s progress.

Register for the parent portal to keep a track of your child’s progress and the criteria they are working towards. If your child has a medical condition, please let reception know so this can be added to their details.

Enquire here online; we'll check what courses we have available; and give you a call/email back, or call us on 01204 374 290